Top US commander discusses Syria with Turkish officials

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The U.S. military's European commander and NATO's top military officer has met with Turkey's chief military and defense officials to discuss Syria and other regional issues.

Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti's talks Wednesday come as tensions between NATO allies Turkey and the United States are running high over several issues, including the arrest of an American pastor in Turkey accused of terror-related charges and espionage. Washington has threatened Turkey with sanctions if the pastor is not freed.

Turkey's military said Scaparrotti exchanged views on Syria, Iraq and NATO with Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. Yasar Guler. It did not elaborate on the talks.

Turkey and the U.S. have agreed on a "roadmap" for the strategic Syrian town of Manbij, which includes the withdrawal of Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey considers to be terrorists.